The new NF video for “Motto” is a fun red carpet ride!

Just 21 days ago NF released the video for “Hope,” and I watched it over and over, then wrote about it. Now he’s already back with another video for another song off the same album (which is yet to be released). This song is called “Motto” and the video is very entertaining. Take a look then scroll down for more info and more thoughts.

This video was shot in Nashville and makes me miss living there. Most of it was at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center which I’ve heard is a beautiful building inside and out. I never attended anything there but I should have! Honestly, as I got into my 30s and 40s I tried like the dickens to stay away from downtown. I know, I’m so lame.

But this video is NOT lame. It’s really fun and well-edited. A couple of things stood out as I watched the premiere earlier on Thursday, March 9th. In the lyrics, NF says…

You might see me in the same clothes
I had on last week, am I ashamed? No.

Anyone who knows me well knows that line could be taken right from my biography. In fact, a friend of mine in college dressed up as me for Halloween one year and borrowed my clothes to do so. People knew I wore the same clothes a lot and I still do to this very day.

Photo collage of Nashville, Tennessee, courtesy of SmugMug.com

Another thing that gave me goosebumps… NF being dragged over the red carpet with his hoodie on. Can you imagine the static charge from that brief moment in the video? It’s enough to shock anyone, pun intended! As I watched that part of the video, I could virtually feel the static build up.

Did you like the video? Is there any rapper in music today with the world at their fingertips more than NF? See you tomorrow…

-Out of the Wilderness

Morgan Wallen – Are There Royalty Issues with “Man Made A Bar”?

Morgan Wallen must’ve just set a Guinness World Record for the amount of songs released on an album (36 songs on “One Thing At A Time”) and he broke Spotify’s streaming record with millions of streams after the album was released. It’s probably safe to assume there’s a song for everyone on this album but the one I wanted to listen to first features one of my favorite country singers, Eric Church.

Soon after I’d arrived in Nashville I got hired to be a production assistant for Eric Church’s first album photo shoot. He was a long-haired newby to country music, kind of like me except I had short hair. Because of that experience, not to mention he’s a heck of an entertainer, Eric’s been one of my favorite country artists for a long time.

Naturally, I wanted to listen to his guest spot on the new song from Morgan Wallen.

The song doesn’t stray from the stereotypical country music formula: God, alcohol, sob story, great woman, heartbreak, repeat. Throw in a loyal dog and you’d have the most country song ever recorded. While this song probably won’t win any awards, it’s a nice addition to country music after after Brad Paisley’s embarrassing new song. It’s also quite interesting that this track on the new album is strangely similar to a song by the same name by country artist Dillon Carmichael released a year ago but with none of the same songwriters.

Wallen’s song was written by Rocky Block, Jordan Dozzi, Larry Fleet, and Brett Tyler. Carmichael’s was written by country music powerhouses Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, and Jon Pardi. Yes, the same Jon Pardi that just released a new song and video for “Your Heart or Mine.” A very specific song title isn’t enough to create a legal case as far as royalties go. In the country music genre, it’s happened as recently as “Keys to the Country” by Chris Janson and “Keys to the Country” by Colt Ford. I wrote up a post about those songs here.

I’m not studied up enough to know if there are any legal conflicts between Wallen and Carmichael. I suspect there aren’t, though, because the last thing Wallen needs after his controversy a few years ago is another controversy… although his popularity only seems to rise the more he’s in the news. You’d think someone at his label would’ve quadruple checked for copyright infringement with his 36 new songs.

Going back to one of the writers of Carmichael’s “Man Made A Bar,” Jon Pardi; I’d say he and Morgan Wallen are two of the very few entertainers currently keeping country music afloat. They’ve both done a worthy job taking country music away from the ‘bro country’ type of songs that plagued the 2010s.

What are your thoughts on Wallen’s song? Chime in below and I’ll see you tomorrow…

-Out of the Wilderness

I can quit whenever I want…

I’m probably going to the movie theater to watch Cocaine Bear soon because it seems like getting the full theater experience might be worth it with this one. And speaking of addictions (because people– and bears??– can get addicted to cocaine, right?), another movie I watched recently is what sparked this post. There was a teenager in the movie Us who was always, and I mean ALWAYS, on her phone. Even on a family vacation, the phone was glued to the teen’s hand.

I was just about to harshly judge gen Z for having this unhealthy tethering to their phones but the very simple, obvious thing is that I suffer from this same addiction and I’m in my 40s! There’s no age limit for the idea that someone can cherish their phone and everything it offers. The Social Dilemma is a very real thing. Just like a drug addiction, I see in my own life this thing I have a strong connection to. Or like a smoker who says, “I can quit whenever I want,” but in reality, they can’t quit at all.

I don’t know what the answer to this is except to relay a message I saw on Facebook (how ironic!) recently… Get outside and live life.

Wholeheartedly, I agree that being outside doing things is the remedy for this particular addiction. Lately in my world, it’s been roller skating. This dependency is I’m grateful there weren’t smartphones when I was growing up. Instead, we went outside and played. And now, even nearing my mid-40s I’m realizing the same thing is still the answer. I’m trying to make it a strong habit to turn my phone off, put it in airplane mode, or leave it in the camper and… go do.

See you tomorrow…

-Out of the Wilderness

Just one song from Jesus Revolution

I went to the theater and watched Jesus Revolution with my dad last week. If you haven’t seen it yet, holy moly you’re in for a treat. I totally just used the word “holy” at the wrong time, didn’t I? But the movie is about the Holy One so we’ll just move right along… This post won’t include any spoilers, but I will say this: One of the songs has stuck with me for days. Before we get to that, here’s the movie trailer…

This particular song I’m writing about, I hadn’t heard until I was in college in the late 90s even though the song was decades old by then. I heard it performed by the great 90s band, Jars of Clay. Something like “all the lonely people” or “single people”…. I couldn’t remember. As soon as it played in the film, though, a lot of feelings came rushing back because the lyrics alone are phenomenal.

So good, right? The original song is by America back in 1974. I have a theory (click here for more details) and I think it’s true in this case, too. The first version you hear of a song becomes your favorite even if it is a cover and not the original.

They also refer to Christians as Jesus freaks somewhere in the movie and that also reminded me of another great song from my time in college. Turn your speakers up for this one. It’s DC Talk “Jesus Freak.”

Have you seen Jesus Revolution yet? What stood out to you? If you haven’t seen it yet, what are you waiting for?

-Out of the Wilderness

Orbit Commercial – The Dancing Man and the Music

Elevators are making a big comeback in commercials lately. There’s the funny Progressive commercial featuring Dr. Rick. Then there’s the irrititating ad from Spectrum. Gum chewing company Orbit has an entertaining addition featuring a hit song from 2011. Check it out then scroll down for more info…

The Music. A song that swept over the country over 10 years ago, back this ad is Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me, Maybe.”

The Actor. Playing the dancing Orbit guy is Miquel Ripeu, an actor from Spain. You can check out his collection of acting jobs on his IMDb page and be sure to follow him on Twitter @ripeu. Here’s a mysterious post he had about the commercial shoot… “We’re super professional, but we have a secret…”

Do you like the Orbit commercial? Is the song stuck in your head now? Don’t blame me, it’s Orbit’s fault! See you tomorrow…

-Out of the Wilderness